TAE POV:

Jinyoung hyung brings out a tray laden with food, face twisted with an intense look of concentration. He kneels down in front of (Y/N), hands already bustling about to pick up a bowl and spoon.

"There's food in the kitchen for you all. Go eat whilst I make sure (Y/N) eats." He says, shooing us away with a tilt of his head, everyone unwillingly get to their feet and linger, taking each step slowly, eyes constantly darting back to look at (Y/N). Even JB hyung is shooed out, Jinyoung hyung doesn't budge.

I loiter in the doorway, unwilling to step through and enter the kitchen. I know I could probably manage to scarf down food quick enough but I don't want to leave her.

"Tae go. I'm with her." hyung orders but then his tone softens with understanding. Heart reassured and put to ease I step through to the kitchen.

A pair of arms snag around my waist, and I allow them to gently tug at me until I'm being into a lap.

"Sit and eat with my baby." It's Joonie hyung, voice low and slightly gruff. He pulls a plate towards him, shooting Jin hyung a grateful smile before he's scooping up soup, to bring to my lips.

I part them, allowing him to slip the spoon inside, letting the thick warm soup flow into my mouth, flavours bursting on my tongue. Joonie hyung's hand settles on the low of my back, dipping under the loose fabric of my t-shirt to settle against my mark. The heat and love that radiates and seeps out from his touch on my mark spans across my back, settling into me with a deep heavy feeling of comfort. Everyone knows that touch is a sure way of providing comfort, but when your mark is touched, it can help settle your soulmate- provide their soul with relief too.

I relax into hyung's hold, content to let him feed me and himself alternatingly. The others are also being more physically tactile, lingering touches, knees pressing together, hands that brush or simply leaning into each other as though starved for affection. But I know it is an offset response to seeing (Y/N) in such a distressed state.

Thinking back to what happened in the station sends shivers up my spine. I can't get the image of (Y/N)'s slumped figure on the floor, the sheer look of nothingness engulfing her eyes, the lack of recognition, awareness or consciousness. I can't get the thump of her knees colliding with the floor, the sudden sap of energy and the numbness that just emanated from her and our bond. It was horrifyingly like when we'd first met, except then it had felt like a wall. Now it just felt like a void, an abyss.

I don't realise Joonie hyung has been nudging gently at my lips with chopsticks, holding out some meat for me.

"Baby—Tae, you with me?" his voice softly brushes against my ears.

I startle turning to shoot him an apologetic look.

"Sorry hyung...I got lost in thought." I confess, lips twisting into a frown.

Joon hyung leans forward and gives a quick peck, the act is so sudden that I look up at him startled.

"Baby, we have to be strong. For her, for each other and for ourselves." He reassures me, hand still slowly, leisurely stroking my mark, sending large waves of love shooting through my body.

"She needs us Tae. She needs you to be strong." He confides to me, the words breathed between us.

Distantly, there's the light clattering of dishes and utensils. The low sounds of murmurs. But I focus on what hyung has said. I brace myself and gather my strength.

Why? Because (Y/N) needs me. And I'm not going to fail her.

JINYOUNG POV:

I bring the spoon of soup up to (Y/N)'s mouth, holding it in front of her lips, gently nudging at them to get her to open her mouth. She parts her lips obediently, eyes trusting as she gazes at me.

I feed her, relishing in the act of closeness at the complete faith she has in me. She doesn't complain, nor scrunch her nose up in the adorable way she usually does when we baby her before giving in. I realise, she wants me to take care of her, for us to. She is always so strong, so caring. Always the shoulder for people to lean on, the ear that listens.

But here she is. Silently asking for help, she's never tended to vocalise her difficulties or when she needs support. It's because I know her as long as I have, know her quirks and mannerisms perhaps better than I know my own...that I see the vulnerability alongside the trust, the hurt besides the strength. I see someone who's mind is at war with herself, her past battling with her present and threatening her future.

I see someone I love. Someone I want to help. Even if it means getting lost with her along the way.

"Oppa...don't worry. You know I don't like it." (Y/N)'s soft voice cuts through my reverie. Her hand comes up slowly to clasp at my wrist, the one that is about to scoop up some rice.

I look at her, even when she's hurting, she's caring about me.

I let out a sad chuckle. The sound is miserable and hangs in the air between us.

"Silly girl...let me worry. Why should you always take on that role? Listen to oppa and eat. You need food." I huff fondly, pushing back the tears before they fall, willing away the stinging sensation.

She just stares at me; her gaze is almost reproaching. She's silently chiding me.

What am I going to do with this girl?

She nudges me gently.

"Oppa...aren't you going to finish feeding me then?" she teases, even if the strength and usual amusement behind it is weak. It's not the usual ambience she has in her voice. But it's a start. It's a sign. That she's trying. She's fighting.

(Y/N) POV:

I never realised the difference soulmates could make. Not fully. Not completely perhaps until now. I didn't know the difference people could make when you feel like every part of you is shattering and there isn't anything strong enough to put you back together. But today showed me differently.

Today showed me that there isn't anything my soulmates won't do for me. And today JB oppa and Jinyoung oppa showed me that the tether that binds us never fades, it doesn't have to be romantic love but the power of love is undefeatable all the same.

It's not me that fights my past. It's them.

The way Joonie oppa looks adorably flustered, hair mussed and cheeks flushed lightly. Dimples on show as he smiles at me bashfully. The way he scratches the back of his head whilst talking to me about a book he wants to recommend.

The way Jinnie oppa is so confident and beautiful but his ears tip red when you compliment him too much, the tenderness that lies under the person who is so strong for all of us but at the end of the day loves being cuddled and held just as much as the rest of us.

How Minnie is so exuberant and positive and motivating when it comes to all of us, that sometimes he hides how he feels, how he pushes our negativity aside whilst battling with his own insecurities and fears.

The way Hobi oppa is so cheerful and bright but doesn't hesitate in filling the role of someone elder, how he becomes serious when the situation demands it and doesn't fail to provide comfort before anyone even needs to ask.

How Yoongi oppa acts so much as our shield, our buffer from getting hurt but pours out his own vulnerabilities into each syllable of his music, each note, pouring out his emotions into his work. Letting his struggles become inked characters.

How Kookie is sometimes shy and unable to articulate his feelings verbally but his hands do all the talking at times. The way he captures the world through lens or other mediums of art. Splashes of colour, different textures, shapes, and techniques all expressing the innermost feelings and thoughts.

And Tae. The way his eyes shine with excitement, the way each and every expression and emotion is felt and seen through each limb. When he feels something, he doesn't shy away from it, his whole-body broadcasts it. His openness, the way he tries to distract me in lessons and the way he pouts adorably when we part.

It's those experiences, the images fresh in my mind as to how they look when they wake up, the way exhaustion lines their eyes at night, and the way their bodies vibrate with excitement. That's what pulls me into reality, what keeps me there. Not me pushing away the memories but my soulmates helping me out. They are my safety net, my harness keeping me tethered and the life-force that urges me to keep going. Keep living.

----

It's a lie if I say I wake up the next day healed. It's a lie if I say I don't get flashes of memories, sometimes brief and sudden and leave me momentarily stunned. Sometimes drawn out long, painful memories which plague my sleep and make me thrash awake, sweat coating my skin and fear thrumming through my veins. It's wrong to say I don't suddenly lose my hold on reality, that sometimes I'm doing something and sometimes disconnect.

But with seven of them there to help me through it, guide me back, hold me when I feel like a person lost at sea- how can I not heal? Slowly and surely, I can see the fragments of my heart and soul knit together into a beautiful patchwork made up of them, a collage made of newer, loving memories that replace the hurt.

Because they heal me, they are completing me.

(A BIT OF A SHORTER CHAPTER THAN USUAL BUT IT'S A FILLER TO KIND OF SHOW THE HEALING PROCESS AS SOMETHING NOT AUTOMATIC AND IMMEDIATE BUT SLOWER AND KIND OF FALTERING AT TIMES. HEALING ISN'T SMOOTH SAILING. BUT WITH BTS THERE, SHE'LL GET THERE. I HOPE IT WASN'T VAGUE TO READ OR ABSTRACT- IT'S TRYING TO SHOW THE WAY SHE IS SLOWLY OVERCOMING THE TRAUMA, SO SHE CAN COME TO TERMS WITH IT IN PRESENT WITHOUT BECOMING SHOCKED OR JILTED HARSHLY INTO HER PAST BECAUSE OF IT! A LOT OF HURT SO I'LL BE BRINGING BACK THE FLUFF AND SOME COMFORT, AND THE PLOT TO MOVE ON. BEAR WITH ME LOVELIES, SEE YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE!)

We have the power to hurt and to heal, words can be sharp knives but also a balm, looks can be piercing but also grounding. Be the person who helps, be the anchor for someone who's adrift...and know that you'll have people ready and willing to do the same.

Borahae! 💜💜💜

PurpleQueenie <3